Construction of prison for 3,000 inmates generates rejection in Panama

Panama.- The construction of a new $177.2 million prison complex in the Santa Maria district, Herrera province, has begun to face growing citizen resistance. Residents, community leaders, and local authorities took to the streets to reject the project promoted by the National Government, arguing that the region needs investments in drinking water, education, road infrastructure, and economic development before a new prison.

The protest took place in Divisa, one of the main gateways to the central provinces, where dozens of people expressed their opposition to the initiative promoted by the Ministry of Government to build the so-called Central Provinces Penitentiary Complex.

Among the participants was the mayor of Santa María, Iván Eladio De León Banda, who assured that the community hopes to meet in the coming days with the Minister of Government, Dinoska Montalvo, to learn about the scope of the project and formally raise their concerns.

“We have established a link to be in contact with Minister Montalvo, where she will meet with us next week so that she can clarify the whole issue of the project and listen to our requests,” he stated during the gathering.

The mayor maintained that the main concern of the residents is the impact that a large-scale correctional facility could have on an area that has historically committed to agricultural, commercial, and educational activities.

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“We call on the Government to listen to its people. We are here to work and improve the quality of life of our people, to generate sustainable development projects and not projects that generate uncertainty and concern”, he added.

The criticism did not come solely from local authorities. Eunilo Franco, a resident of the Limón township, questioned why the State is prioritizing the construction of a prison when, as he stated, there are more urgent needs regarding community infrastructure.

“What Santa María needs is sports fields, drinking water, better roads, and support for schools. It does not need a prison,” he stated.

Other participants insisted that the region requires investments in sewage systems, school equipment, sports centers, and improvements to the road network before a large-scale prison project.